Lisa Miles

Lisa, or Lesley, Miles is one of the primary characters of the novel. She is the only child of Cora and Ed Miles. As a young girl, Lisa is reserved and unacademic. She has few friends and little confidence in herself. However, after falling in love with William Blake's poem "The Tyger," Lisa becomes invested in poetry. Her essay on "The Tyger" delights her teacher, and she soon begins excelling in school. Her mother is similarly thrilled by her daughter's academic endeavors, hoping to one day see her attend university.

After completing her Leaving Exams, Lisa interviews for a job at Goode's Department Store. She hopes that the temporary position in the Ladies' Frocks Department will allow her new life to begin. As soon as she is hired, she feels herself changing. While her new coworkers scorn her youth and lack of experience, Lisa remains oblivious, desperate...